Design changes to improve crash test ratings?

[PTCrew02]

Early crash tests on the '01 PT came up with a bad score for the driver's side in a front-end crash. By '02 the PT got high marks in the same test. I'm guessing that the modifications to achieve this were worked into the production line during the '01 model year. Does anyone know what these modifications are, and how to spot whether or not a particular '01 PT has them? I know we've got some very knowledgable DC service people and insiders on this Forum, so I'm hoping they'll have the answer. Thanks!

[Puck]

I've wondered the same thing. My first thought was that there is no difference between the 01 and later years - that the test itself was erroneous. Then another thought occurred to me. If changes were made, I seriously doubt if DC would admit it, much less tell what it was. If they did, I can just hear all the 01 owners (myself included) demanding their car be "corrected". Never open up a can of worms unless you are going fishing!
Puck

[Gary04GT]

The [u]crash test results</u> of the 2001 models were [u]significantly lower</u> than for later model years. Consumer Report's over-all rating of the 2001 PT Cruiser was good but they did [u]NOT recommend "buy</u>" due to poor crash test results.

See The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety test ratings at: http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ratings.htm

[Puck]

[quote]Originally posted by Gary03GT

The [u]crash test results</u> of the 2001 models were [u]significantly lower</u> than for later model years. Consumer Report's over-all rating of the 2001 PT Cruiser was good but they did [u]NOT recommend "buy</u>" due to poor crash test results.

I realize the 2001 model tests were significantly lower than later years. The question is why. What change was made if any?
Puck

[Gary04GT]

Your guess [:I] is as good as mine but at least they made the changes necessary to upgrade the car's safety for the 2002--2004 models.

[PTCrew02]

I agree with you, Puck. DC isn't likely to tell us what they did. I just thought maybe some of our Forum members who are Chrysler service people would have noticed the changes. I asked the question because I am interested in an '01 that is for sale locally. It has the later CD/radio (2 bass/treble sliders, not three) and all four power window buttons on the center dash. It has a January '01 build date, so I thought maybe they had also made other changes by then.

[ElectricBlueGT]

Was the tested 2001 model equipped with side airbags? According to the NHTSA site, there is a huge difference in many models tested with/without side airbags, even in full frontal collision tests.

Scott

[Gary04GT]

quote:It has a January '01 build date, so I thought maybe they had also made other changes by then.

I researched this topic extensively before buying my 2003 model because safety was a major consideration for me. The full report published by Consumers Reports appeared first in their October 2000 issue. In their ANNUAL AUTO ISSUE, April 2002, CR indicated..."But it is the Cruiser's poor showing in a government 35-mph frontal-crash test that prevents us from recommending it. First-year reliability was much better than average." It would not surprise me at all if after reading this report DC decided to "get its act together" and upgraded the safety features of the PTC. I would think it might take longer than 3-4 months to "modify the production line" for safety-design changes so it would be my guess that no changes were made for cars with January 2001 build dates. Also, I do not believe any of the 2001 models had side air bags but I do not know for sure.

[Puck]

[quote]quote:Originally posted by Gary03GT

Also, I do not believe any of the 2001 models had side air bags but I do not know for sure.

Limited Edition 2001 PT's have side air bags in their leather seats.
Puck

[fritz_t_coyote]

If you are that concerned with crash-test ratings, buy whatever is highest-rated.

If you want the PT, buy it. And take a defensive driving class. And keep the car well-maintained.

AND ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS WEAR THE SEATBELTS!

(I survived a high-speed-multiple-impact collision on CT's infamous Merritt Parkway thanks to my seatbelt.)